
Welcome
Empower A Child Today
Gift the gift of education and
giving back through life-changing experiences.
Gift the gift of education and
giving back through life-changing experiences.
“I just wanted to do something to help people that are less fortunate, especially girls that are vulnerable.”
“I wanted to make their situation in life a little brighter.”
BONGAI MHLOYI
EndChildMarriages.org Founder
American African Youth Leadership Foundation
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We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to save vulnerable girls from poverty ending the risk of early child marriage.
We believe that no girl should be robbed of her childhood, health, education and her aspirations.
AAYLF funds orphans and at-risk girls from the poorest sections of Zimbabwe so that they can attend school.
Our program will cover all the costs including tuition, books, transportation, nutritious meals, and at some cases we will provide housing so that the girls can escape child marriages and further their education.
Sponsor A Child today!
When a girl is married before the age of 18, she and her family are more likely to be poor, uneducated, and unhealthy. In Zimbabwe, more than 50% of girls that are married before age 18, face an end to their education, barriers to vocational and life skills, and increased risks of domestic violence and sexual diseases. Not only is child marriage illegal, it is a direct violation of human rights, one that can be corrected through education.
AAYLF combats gender inequality and breaks the cycle of poverty in Zimbabwe by providing full funding to girls to stay in school and attend college so they can escape the threat of child marriage and have the opportunity to live an independent, self-sustaining life.
AAYLF will give young women the opportunity to postpone marriage by focusing on their education, allowing them to break the cycle of poverty, earn an income, and provide for their families. Thus, in the long run we hope to challenge the rigid cultural norms that promote gender discrimination and child marriages in Zimbabwe.
Graduated with a degree in Business Management
after being sponsored by AAYLF.
"After I graduated I got a job as an administrator. I also also planning to start my own business in the interior designing. I'm also married with two kids. I picked a husband for myself. Unlike what was going to happen when I did not get the help that I got from AAYLF. They also taught me the importance of helping. I also want to help other vulnerable children out there.
"Continue with the Great work and may God continue to bless you."
Vimbai was an orphan and AAYLF offered her a scholarship in 2013. She is now a teacher and continues to advocate empowering young vulnerable girls through education and continues to inspire them with her own story.
"Having someone like Miss B and her team approaching you, at that age where there’s a lot of confusion and pain in life, was such a blessing to me and the other girls. AAYLF came at the right time and they inspired me to be who I am today. It is one of the greatest things that ever happened to me..."
Before AAYLF, she was just about to get married off then she came to our program. We were with her for four year then off to culinary school. Now, she is a chef in a town called Chipinge.
She works for OK, a big supermarket like a Walmart where she is a chef. She is now married with one son and met her husband at the culinary school. They are both chefs now but in different areas.
"I want to thank AAYLF, I am now a chef!
I am proud of my job and I really love to cook."
"My dad wanted to marry me off to a very old man because he wanted money from him. I was now scared. I was worried and was so exposed since my dad was so aggressive about my decision...
...the man was almost an octogenarian.
College Student, Aspiring Journalist
"I am really happy that AAYLF has been helping me and my mother with my tuition and examination fees for the last six years. There's more in store for me than being married off."
Tatenda's parents are both unemployed. She is one of 5 kids and she hopes one day, she can be a medical doctor.
Both filled with gratitude and hope for the future.
Thank you for your support.
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